The global economic downturn that has plagued the country and luxury department stores has caught the attention of major fashion designers.  A few of these designers have decided to embark on a new pricing strategy, they have lowered their prices.  Designers like Oscar de la Renta, J. Mendel and Zac Posen have taken this new approach. 

The drop in prices is good news for consumers.  Only time will tell if this new pricing strategy will be as advantageous to the designers as well. 

While we ponder the effectiveness of lower prices to the designers’ bottom-line, let us take a look at Zac Posen’s fall 2009 collection from Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week.  Lower prices have never looked this good. [TheCut, Fashionista]

Related Post: The Price Point

Coco Rocha is one of the top models in the fashion industry today.  In this Style.com video we see a charming and likeable young woman with a great sense of humor.  Often times we get a glimpse of the model from a still photograph or the runway where you are treated to an icy glare.  In this video you see that Coco is endearing and approachable.  She spills on backstage mischief and her model secrets.  It is great to see her personality and charisma highlighted.

Fashion Rollcall selected three celebrity fashion designers to make its Rollcall list.  The three selected were:

• A. L.a.m.b- Gwen Stefani
• B. Victoria Beckham- Victoria Beckham
• C. William Rast- Justin Timberlake

Victoria Beckham launched her dress collection in 2008, and made her fall 2009 New York Fashion Week debut in February.  She introduced a 16-piece collection that goes up to a size 10.   The dress collection has been sold to Bergdorf Goodman. 

You can easily see Beckham herself wearing any of these designs.  She has definitely bottled the Victoria Beckham style.  Prior to this collection she had her VB denim collection, but her venture into fashion designing started with a small line of jeans with Rock & Republic. 

Gwen Stefani has been widely received for her L.a.m.b collection.  Celebrities often wore this line, along with Stefani herself.  She even created the Harajuku line, a less expensive line for her fans and the general public.  The line embodies Stefani’s style and essence.  That would explain its appeal. She began in 2004 with handbag and accessories and evolved into a clothing line, and it appears she is still going strong

Justin Timberlake co-founded the William Rast line along with Trace Alaya.  William Rast made its New York Fashion Week Spring 2009 debut last month.  It is a laid back collection with a bit of an edge; the line mainly consists of denim, leather and tee-shirts.  Timberlake is expected be on Oprah today to promote his line.

A common theme that these celebrity fashion designers have is that they design clothing for themselves.  They are capitalizing on their celebrity, not just in name, but in style.

Two of these celebrity fashion designers have moved on to the Showdown.  They are L.a.m.b by Gwen Stefani and William Rast with Justin Timberlake. 

The winner is William Rast by Justin Timberlake.  His collection is in-tune with his demographic; they are the younger urban set who wants to look cool without trying too hard. [NYMag.com, WWD]

The past week has been filled with news of celebrity fashion lines.  Some are launching new lines, while others are ‘on hiatus’. 

It was announced today that Gwyneth Paltrow is launching a capsule collection for ZOEtee’s.  We also learned this week that Lauren Conrad’s line is out of business.  Fashion Rollcall decided to take a look at these fashion lines being helmed by celebrities and selected three deserving to make its Rollcall list.  The three to make the list are:

• A. L.a.m.b- Gwen Stefani
• B. Victoria Beckham- Victoria Beckham
• C. William Rast- Justin Timberlake

Two of these celebrity fashion designers will make it into our Showdown tomorrow, and only one will emerge the winner.   Can you guess which two will move on to the Showdown? [Fashionista, The Cut]

We highlight Stella McCartney for her efforts to make the world a better place.  Her sense of responsibility to the environment extends to her fashion line. 

When you look at her fall 2009 collection you marvel at the thought that such beauty can come from being so environmentally aware.  Stella McCartney uses no fur or leather in her collection. Take a look at her fall 2009 collection from Style.com.  

Her efforts to protect the environment is being recognized, she is due to receive an environmental award in New York this week.  Suzy Menkes conducted an interview with Stella McCartney on her ecological stance.  [International Herald Tribune]

Carine Roitfeld spoke with CNN for a documentary about her rise to Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Paris.  In Part I of the documentary from CNN Revealed we are made privy to information on her life as a stylist prior to French Vogue.  Most of her styling work was done with fashion photographer Mario Testino.  

Roitfeld speaks of the love she has for her work, and it shines through the pages of French Vogue.  She has been with Vogue Paris for the last seven years, and there is no sign of slowing down. 

Several of her influential friends were on hand for this documentary.  They not only spoke glowingly about her, but they appear to respect her as a person as well as a professional within the business. 

She credits Tom Ford for making her and Testino into international figures.  We got a glimpse of the role she played for Tom Ford at Gucci.  Ford made her his muse, the most sincere compliment. 

The documentary shows a side of Carine Roitfeld that we do not often see.  It presented a softer and more affable Carine Roitfeld.  We know that one of the premier editors-in-chief of fashion would be passionate about her work, yet there is something refreshing about her level of involvement. 

The Business of Fashion has a piece on the Carine Roitfeld documentary.  It also alluded to an upcoming documentary on Anna Wintour.

Whew!  It’s spring, nice to see you again.  After all the fall looks for 2009 it is great to look back at the light and cheerful looks for spring 2009.  How great is it to see legs, arms and shoulders again?  Take a look at Charlotte Ronson’s fashion show spring 2009.   

Models were featured on the Rollcall list yesterday.   Three were selected for their influence and extensive presence on the runways of the major fashion capitals.  They are:

• A. Chanel Iman
• B. Lily Donaldson
• C. Raquel Zimmermann

Chanel Iman glided down the runway with legs that appeared endless.  Lily Donaldson bewitched and hypnotized with those piercing blue eyes.  Raquel Zimmermann brought electricity to the catwalk that is visible even in photographs. 

The Showdown contenders are Lily Donaldson and Raquel Zimmermann.   They owned the runways of New York, Milan and Paris this season.  We will be watching to see if they continue their rule.

Our winner is Lily Donaldson; she dominated the runways this season.  Lily Donaldson walked in all the shows that won the Showdown of their respective Fashion Week, Donna Karan, Versace and Christian Dior.  Her look and intensity is a lethal combination.

Today’s Rollcall will feature the models who worked tirelessly during Fashion Week for fall 2009. They traveled from city to city and show to show to strut the catwalk.  Their major objective, bringing to life the garments we so desire.  Without them fashion week would not be possible.

The selected models walked in numerous shows, all three walked for Michael Kors, Bottega Veneta and Balenciaga.  They hail from America, Brazil and London.

Each model was in high demand in every city.  They rocked the runways of New York, Milan and Paris in platforms and with the model attitude.

The selected models were seemingly everywhere.  Rollcall took notice and named them the ‘It’ Girls for fall 2009:

• A. Chanel Iman
• B. Lily Donaldson
• C. Raquel Zimmermann

DKNY

The perfect pair of denim jeans, yes we all want one.  The quest for the right pair can be torturous, but well worth it.  Comfort and convenience are factored into the blue jean appeal.  Its ability to be dressed up or dressed down is also very appealing.  

The perfect pair can be slimming while giving your body a great shape.  It is one of those wardrobe essentials that we cannot live without. 

The rise and inseam makes all the difference.  They help in determining the fit, along with the waist size and cut.  To some, the wash is as important as fit.  A darker wash will tend to be more slimming and more formal.

DKNY has teamed up with Levi Jeans to create several styles, a wide leg jean, skinny jean and boyfriend jean.  The boyfriend jean is shown above.  There is enough of a variety here to fit and flatter almost any figure.

To think that the denim jean was once worn for hard labor, thankfully we now wear it for leisure.  One can only wonder how it will evolve in the next 50 years.